Cyprus is great for beach life and snorkeling because of its crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, and diverse marine life. The island boasts over 50 Blue Flag beaches, which means they meet high standards for water quality, safety, and …
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Backpacking Cyprus in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Cyprus with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Discover the enchanting crossroads of the Mediterranean in Cyprus, where ancient history meets azure coastlines. Pros? Immerse yourself in rich culture, explore historic ruins, and bask in the sunny weather. Cyprus offers a blend of affordability and European charm. However, public transportation may be limited, and some areas can be tourist-centric. For backpackers seeking a balance between history and relaxation, Cyprus stands out as a unique destination, where the fusion of Eastern and Western influences creates a captivating backdrop for exploration, making it a distinctively alluring stop in the backpacker's journey.
Best known for:Known for: safety | beach life
Best time to visit: April-May, September-October
Best known for:Known for: safety | beach life
Best time to visit: April-May, September-October
Why to go?
Why backpacking in Cyprus
Beach life
💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Cyprus
- Visit the ancient city of Kourion: Explore the well-preserved ruins of this ancient city, including a Roman amphitheater and a stunning mosaic house.
- Relax on the beautiful beaches: Cyprus is known for its pristine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.
- Discover the Troodos Mountains: Take a scenic drive through the Troodos Mountains, where you can hike, bike, or simply enjoy the breathtaking views and charming mountain villages.
- Explore the capital city of Nicosia: Wander through the narrow streets of the old town, visit the iconic Ledra Street, and explore the city’s rich history and culture in its museums and landmarks.
- Experience the vibrant nightlife in Ayia Napa: Known for its lively club scene, Ayia Napa offers a vibrant nightlife with beach clubs, bars, and music festivals, making it a popular destination for party-goers.
But Cyprus offers more...
🎎 Festivals: Ayia Napa Festival, Larnaca Kataklysmos Festival, Lefkara Festival, Limassol Wine Festival, Paphos Aphrodite Festival
🏞️ National parks: Akamas, Cape Greco National Forest Park, Cavo Greco, Paphos Forest, Troodos National Forest Park
🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Cyprus
The best time to visit Cyprus for backpacking would be during the spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October) seasons. During these months, the weather is pleasant with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 °C, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the island. Additionally, these shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and lower prices compared to the peak summer months.
Risk level: low (17%)
Safety advice for Cyprus
- A UN peacekeeping force maintains a buffer zone between northern and southern Cyprus. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus controls the southern part of the island. The self-proclaimed 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' ('TRNC') controls the north.
- Violent incidents can occur in the UN buffer zone, especially during public demonstrations. Avoid protests.
- Watch out for bag snatching and pickpocketing, particularly in tourist areas.
- Cyprus experiences earth tremors and violent storms. Forest fires are common from May to October. Monitor local media for updates.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
Cyprus
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Cyprus sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Cyprus. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Cyprus may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Cyprus. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Cyprus may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Cyprus, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Cyprus, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 24 September 2024